First Off the Field, 8/2
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JACKSONVILLE – Quarterback Blaine Gabbert got a little closer to full Friday.
Gabbert, whose injury situation has been a week-long storyline at Jaguars 2013 Training Camp after he sustained a right ankle sprain Monday, practiced on a less limited basis on Friday than he had since Monday.
But Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said immediately after practice Gabbert was a bit limited in reps, and still didn't go full.
"He's still held back – a three-out-of-four-reps type of deal," Bradley said following a two-and-half-hour practice at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness practice fields. "He's not getting all of them (repetitions)."
Gabbert, competing with Chad Henne for the Jaguars' quarterback position, worked most of the shorts-and-and-shoulder pads practice, working in the quarterback rotation in seven-on-seven, goal-line and team drills.
Gabbert had not participated in team drills Wednesday, working three plays in a live team session on Thursday.
Henne led off a solid period for Jaguars quarterbacks in the final 11-on-11 period, completing his first five passes. Rookie free agent quarterback Matt Scott had an impressive drive to finish the drill, with Gabbert looking confident during his work with the starters during that period.
The Jaguars also worked Denard Robinson as a Wildcat quarterback during the drill, with offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch saying afterward he was pleased with the quarterbacks overall.
"I thought today was a nice day in that regard," FIsch said. "They're continuing to compete every day, which is challenging them to get better."
Friday marked a return to shorts and shoulder pads after two days in full pads, with the team working in goal-line, red-zone and blitz periods. The team will hold a scrimmage at EverBank Field Saturday at 6:45 p.m.
The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
Several players had veteran days off on Friday, including defensive end Jason Babin, left offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, defensive tackle Roy Miller, defensive end Tyson Alualu, center Brad Meester and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny.
"That was planned earlier in training camp to give these guys a break," Bradley said.
Also Friday, veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey missed practice with a head contusion sustained Thursday in practice. Bradley said Mincey is being evaluated.
The Jaguars are scheduled to go through a walk-through Friday evening.
"I want to thank the fans," Bradley said. "They've been great. I know a lot of them took the day off through all of our session to come over here and it's very much appreciated. I know our players appreciate the energy and passions they have."
INJURY WATCH
Safety Johnathan Cyprien (hamstring) remained on the reserve non-football injury list on the fifth practice day of camp. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon (groin), wide receiver Taylor Price (foot) and offensive guard Stephane Milhim (knee) remained on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Running back Justin Forsett missed practice Friday with a right toe sprain late in practice on Thursday.
PLAY OF THE DAY
If any play stood out, it may have been a pass early in the final 11-on-11 drill.
Henne, who looked efficient throughout the first series of that drill, already had completed his first three passes. On the fourth, he dropped back and looked deep to wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who earlier was frustrated after having a potential touchdown pass knocked away in a goal-line drill.
On this play, Shorts created separation and Henne threw deep down the left side, with Shorts reaching and catching the ball on his back shoulder for a 30-yard completion.
Henne capped the series with a 15-yard completion to Jordan Shipley on the next play.
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HIGHLIGHTS**
1.Gabbert threw a touchdown pass in red-zone drills to fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou.
2.Henne threw a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Stanback later in the red-zone drill.
3.Linebacker Geno Hayes knocked away a would-be touchdown pass from Gabbert to Shorts in red-zone drills.
4.Reserve quarterback Mike Kafka completed back-to-back passes early in 11-on-11, with one of the completions to running back Jonathan Grimes.
5.Robinson worked extensively in the Wildcat formation during 11 on 11, with Gabbert splitting wide at times during the drill. Robinson threw a pass to Shorts early in the drill that was complete for a short gain.
6.The Jaguars ran two plays out of the "Emery and Henry" formation, a formation in which offensive lineman split wide on either side to give the field an unusual spread look. Henne ran a draw out of one of the Emery and Henry plays.
7.Rookie Ace Sanders continued to show his quickness in camp, breaking a long inside handoff out of the WIdlcat formation and catching a 20-yard pass from Gabbert.
8.Running back Maurice Jones-Drew got extensive work with the first team Friday, and worked past his normal one or two plays in short-yardage and run-oriented drills early in practice.
9.Rookie running De'Leon Eskridge had a long run in practice and capped practice with a touchdown run against the third-team defense.
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LOOKING ON . . .
*With veteran tackle Eugene Monroe out of practice with a veterans day off, rookie right tackle Luke Joeckel worked at left tackle. Not surprisingly, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft looked smooth and comfortable at the spot, having played the position throughout his career at Texas A&M.
*Third-year veteran right tackle Cameron Bradfield worked at right tackle when Joeckel worked at left tackle. While Bradfield struggled at times as a starter the last two years, the Jaguars like his potential and he could be the swing tackle this season, backing up left and right tackles.
*It's time for an update on Robinson – and it's time to give the young player some credit, too. The rookie fifth-round draft selection – listed as an offensive weapon on the Jaguars' roster – struggled to start camp, fumbling several times and dropping passes in the first few days. The Jaguars moved him off punt return and have continued to work him at various spots in the offense, including taking snaps in the Wildcat formation. He seems to have improved in recent days with no ball security issues, and he appears more comfortable in the Wildcat formation. He is still a work in progress, but he does seem to be progressing.
